Kart racing with Banjo and friends. Controls feel slightly loose at first but you adjust. Not the best kart game on GBA but solidly in the upper tier.
Your verdict
Category
Racing1 player3+
Description
Aerial racing game developed by Rare on GBA. Published by THQ in Europe in February 2005. Banjo, Kazooie, Mumbo, Jolly and their rivals compete in biplane aircraft across varied aerial circuits. Four championship cups, time trial mode, one-on-one rival mode and link cable multiplayer. Unlockable bonuses and colorful visuals faithful to the Banjo-Kazooie universe.
The European edition of Banjo-Pilot, Rare's final GBA project before the move to Microsoft, making it a historical curiosity for followers of the studio. Distributed by THQ with a multilingual PAL box, this aerial kart racer stays sought-after for its tie to the now-dormant Banjo-Kazooie world. Its complete-in-box price reflects the close of Rare's Nintendo era and a moderate European print run.
Is Banjo-Pilot still worth playing in 2026?
An aerial racing game developed by Rare, Banjo-Pilot gathers the series' heroes in biplane duels inspired by the kart formula. The aerial tracks, the weapons to pick up and the cups to chain offer immediate handling and a real arcade flying pleasure. Without revolutionising the genre, the title takes care over its clarity, its track variety and its Rare flavour. The competition on the machine stays stiff. For a Banjo-Kazooie fan or a lover of portable arcade racing, the title keeps an honest, well paced entertainment.
